Emmons Glacier Complete

The Emmons Glacier Complete provides an adventurous descent all the way down the center of the largest glacier in the Lower 48.

The great expanse of ice on the Northeast side of Mount Rainier is constantly evolving and the majority of climbers and skiers access it via the standard Emmons-Winthrop . A much longer continuous descent is possible by skiing down the central rib of the Emmons, staying on glaciated terrain far longer and flowing down the enormous river of ice to the headwaters of the White River below.

The central ramp can be accessed from either side of the summit crater, and once located can be followed for thousands of feet. Finding passage off of the rib onto the lower glacier is the crux of the route and changes year to year,  followed by several miles of additional low angled turns while navigating crevasse fields. The bottom of the glacier is typically debris covered, and after a quick rock bash finding your way off of the terminus, a quick bushwack will bring you to the Emmons Moraine Trail and back to the trailhead.